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How to Have a Palm Beach Staycation

Tideline Resort & Spa, Palm Beach

Living in South Florida, I think about how busy and “go! go! go!” the attitude is here. Red lights are too long, green lights are too short, the highways don’t have enough lanes, and people don’t text back fast enough. When there was the opportunity to experience a staycation in Palm Beach, I was intrigued. An long island just west of Palm Beach County, it’s a quiet escape from the busy atmosphere of South Florida.

My boyfriend, Jack, and I headed north on I-95 from our home in Fort Lauderdale for the weekend getaway to Palm Beach — neither of us had spent much time on the island, and having just celebrated our five-year anniversary, we were looking forward to a staycation. Luckily, we were able to team up with Lincoln Black Label, a new program from the car company for owners to indulge in vehicle upgrades, even to enjoy partner restaurants. We got a red Lincoln MKC to take on our journey, and when there were issues with the electronics (no shifters in this car!) there was a weekend number we could quickly access to get help.

Riding along in the SUV, once we crossed the bridge to Palm Beach, everything immediately seemed to slow down…

… and it actually felt OK.

Our stay was scheduled at the Tideline Ocean Resort and Spa, formerly the Omphoy, which was taken over by Kimpton properties in December 2014 and has been undergoing renovations and updates ever since. With just 134 rooms, the hotel is an intimate one with a champagne and wine hour every day from 4 to 6 pm as well as a treat bowl waiting for pets! And to say this hotel is pet friendly is an understatement — there are no weight limitations and rumor has it another Kimpton hotel checked in a llama into one of its suites.

When we opened the door to our hotel room, after walking down the hallways covered in brown suede, we were blown away by the view. Blue skies dotted with cotton candy clouds, the quiet ebb and flow of the waves, and sandy beach right before us. The rooms were sleek but cozy, with slight nautical themes — hanging fishing nets were used in lieu of bed posts!

Heading downstairs, we went to Brandon’s to enjoy a drink, where guests can also enjoy the sushi bar. Then, the two of us hopped back in the Lincoln to cross the bridge over to West Palm Beach’s Clematis Street for a dinner date. Driving a bit up A1A in Palm Beach is a relaxing one, with views of the water, large Florida homes, and a jaunt down Worth Avenue’s shopping district.

I had never eaten at The Alchemist, and the good reviews I had heard were true. There were so many dishes we wanted to order, we almost went tapas style, ordering a number of appetizers — pork dumplings, lamb lollipops — before getting to the main dish of steak. A book worm, it was fun to see the drink menu was inspired by famous novels. After dinner, Jack and I took a stroll down Clematis, which is a bevy of activity, with bars, clubs, restaurants, and shopping all along the strip. Some favorites here include World of Beer, Grease Burger Bar,Don Ramon, and Pizza Girls.

The next day, I was treated to a massage at the Tideline Spa for, no joke, one of the best massages I’ve ever had. The masseuse used just the right amount of pressure and paid attention to all my trouble spots — I was putty walking out of that place. Other services at the spa include basic hair and nail treatments, perfect for travelers in town for a special occasion.

After my massage, Jack and I headed out for breakfast on the water at Brandon’s and then out onto the sand for some sunshine. If I didn’t have the massage, I would have partaken in the free beach yoga class offered up for hotel guests on Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. Instead, we laid out under the sun and took a dip in the water (the weather could not have been better!). There is also the option to grab a cabana at the pool, on the other side of the hotel. After soaking in enough Vitamin D, the two of us headed back upstairs to clean up and enjoy a little more time in our beautiful room before heading back to Fort Lauderdale.

I hadn’t spent much time in Palm Beach before, but after our lovely weekend staycation, it’s definitely been added to my list of recommendations for both Florida residents and vacationers in town.